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Green Loans Update

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 14:48
The Sydney Green Loans meeting was well attended by all training organisations. The important points are as follows:
 
GREEN LOANS - GENERAL INFORMATION.
  1. Green Loans program is alive and well (contrary to some reports in yesterday's press).
  2. The Green Loans Home Sustainability Assessment program will become the national benchmark for all home assessments.
  3. The Government sees this program as a creator of sustainable jobs and a national asset.
  4. DEWHA is looking for certainty of quality assessments and a high volume of assessments!

ASSESSOR ACCREDITING ORGANISATION
The first organisation has been offered a contract as an Assessor Accrediting Organisation - it is ABSA.
 
ASSESSMENT SOFTWARE

  • The HSA software is still under development by the CSIRO.
  • Alan Pears (Adj Prof of Sustainability at RMIT) is also working on the project.
  • The questions to be asked by the HSA are currently under review and should be finalised shortly. 
  • The householder self assessment will not be available for the first few months, so HSAs will be able to claim $150 for the assessment and $50 for the self-assessment (plus any relevant travel allowances).
  • The software will continue to be developed over a period of time.

CONTRACTS

  • The DRAFT assessor contract has been uploaded onto the website.
  • Contracts with DEWHA will be with INDIVIDUALS - not companies. 
  • Individuals will then nominate a bank account into which funds can be deposited by DEWHA for assessments conducted.
  • The timelimit for the assessment has been removed from the website.

BOOKING SYSTEM
A booking system package has been selected and will be implemented to support the program. A call centre will provide backup and access to the scheme for householders without web access.

The HSA may return to the household to offer services once the contract with DEWHA has been completed, BUT THE ASSESSMENT MUST BE INDEPENDENT OF COMMERCIAL INTEREST.

There are a number of State Government programs that lend themselves to a bi-lateral service.  Unless this has been pre-approved by DEWHA and the State Government, auditors MUST NOT provide another service whilst conducting the HSA.

Green Renovation Pack (replacing CFLs and shower roses) has been replaced with a voucher system.  You will not be replacing CFLS and shower roses. Auditors will not be involved in the voucher system, they will be sent directly to the householder with their report.
 
CEILING INSULATION

  • Auditors are NOT required to assess a ceiling to view insulation. However, DEWHA will not prohibit auditors from doing so.
  • Clearly there are issues about ladders, safety, insurance, etc. We will have these ironed out before the next 2 day training.

HSA TRAINING COURSE

  • The HSA course will ultimately become an accredited course (possibly Certificate IV).
  • You will be given recognition of prior learning for the training completed with us.
  •  DEWHA will not restrict the number of HSAs that are being trained around Australia.

MARKETING Of SERVICES
Green Loans Program is a BRAND owned by the Commonwealth.
 
CLARITY
Assessors will be known as Home Sustainability Assessors - not a GREEN LOANS Assessor.
 
AUDIT SERVICES
Services will be audited by an independent auditor from time to time. 
 
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This new profession will have its own accrediting body (in the first instance ABSA), they will develop a number of CPD (continuing professional development) units to keep you up to date. Other organisations can also develop CPD units and offer them to you commercially.
 
PILOT PROGRAM

  • The pilot will be approximately 2 weeks only.
  • It will be in 2 or 3 locations, certain postcodes only. The post codes have not yet been announced.
  • The booking system will be in place, HSAs IN THE SELECTED POSTCODE AREAS, can offer their services.
  • They will need to become accredited, sign a contract with DEWHA and then conduct their business for a 2 week window.
  • The HSA will record information into a booklet which will then be forwarded to DEWHA.
  • The HSA will be paid as per the schedule of fees.

Research institutes will then interview households to determine their effectiveness.

POTENTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON POSTCODE

  • Whilst gathering information for the pilot, every participant was asked to nominate their postcode range.
  • A number of HSAs responded with 'State wide', 'Metrpolitan area' etc.
  • The Green Loans team are now considering restricting the number of postcodes in which a HSA can operate.

PROGRAM LAUNCH DATE
Currently envisaged to be early July.
 
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Partnership agreements are to be issued by early March.